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Battle at Baywood 2 highlights feats of strength

Mike Ciccone attempts to lift the back end of a Chevrolet Volt in the novice division of the Battle at Baywood 2 Strongman Competition held March 22 at Baywood Greens in Long Neck. BY NICK ROTH

Nick Roth

March 28, 2014

Jason Dayberry competes in the Conan's Wheel event. BY NICK ROTH

Shane Dreibelbis struggles to lift the Chevy Volt one last time. BY NICK ROTH

Anita Bliss works hard on the Viking Press. BY NICK ROTH

Ed Warne struggles to lift the car for a seventh time. He finished third in the event for the heavyweight division. BY NICK ROTH

Anthony Morgan was one of only two novice division competitors to toss five kegs over the bar. BY NICK ROTH

Alesha Ray dominated the women's competition, winning four of the five events. BY NICK ROTH

Ethan Farkas lifts a Chevy Volt during the competition. BY NICK ROTH

Phil Gruentzel lifted the car four times to tie for first in the lightweight division. BY NICK ROTH

Rob Crutchley puts that Superman strength to the test on the Viking Press. BY NICK ROTH

The strongman competition drew dozens of competitors and spectators to Baywood Greens in Long Neck. BY NICK ROTH

The normal silence of Baywood Greens Golf Club gave way to grunting, yelling and cheering as 42 men and three women competed in the second Battle at Baywood Strongman Competition held at Baywood Greens March 22.

Participants battled in five competitions that tested their strength and endurance before the strongest men and women of the day were crowned. The event started with the Viking Press, a contraption that tests shoulder strength. Weight varied from 120 pounds for the women to 260 and 300 pounds for the light- and heavyweights.

Athletes then moved on to the car dead lift. Lewes Auto Mall supplied a 2014 Chevrolet Volt for the event. To successfully complete a rep, heavyweight competitors were dead lifting 700 pounds. The task was slightly less strenuous for lightweights at 590 pounds. Novices and even lighter weights took a crack at 500 pounds. Ethan Farkas, the overall heavyweight champion, lifted the Volt 11 times.

In the Conan's Wheel, athletes were required to hold a bar off the ground against their chest and walk 360 degrees as many times as possible. Again, the number for heavyweights was 700 pounds, while women tried 300, novices 500 and lightweights 600 pounds. Jason Dayberry, the lightweight winner, carried the 600-pound pole 193 feet, 7 inches.

Athletes launched 33-pound kegs straight up in the keg toss event. The goal was to clear a certain height five times as fast as possible. The height varied from 6 feet for women to 16 feet for heavyweights. Heavyweight winner Brian Fletcher completed the event in 12 seconds flat.

The final event of the day was the keg carry and load, which had competitors carrying a 150- to 280-pound keg a short distance and lifting it over a 48-inch-high bar.

The event was organized by Team Bix and Kyle Bixler. Bixler and his team will return to Delaware later this summer for the sixth Delaware's Strongest competition. A date has not yet been determined. For more information about Team Bix, go to www.teambixstrength.com.